So recently I was skimming the MSN posts on my computer during my lung hour (don’t ask – not much to do around the office at lunch time!) and saw that MSN has made a list of “completely unnecessary movie remakes”. This should be fun, I thought.

I agree with some of them, I mean, how much more intriguing can a new Thomas Crowne affair or Psycho be? It is the same plot with different actors, as spectacular/sexy/amazing/popular those actors may be, right?

Sometimes however, remakes, as unnecessary they may seem to the older generations/major film buffs, are completely necessary to the younger generation. What I mean is that these new remakes of older movies serve as a “heads up” to the young and to the movie-naive (like myself) who only really know movies that have hit A-list movie theatres within our lifetime (for the most part).

I mean, sure, I have heard about Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Sunset Boulevard and Mrs. Robinson, but I have never actually say down and watched them (except for the latter of which I only watched part of).

I won’t watch something that old alone and I have a very technology-and-reputation conscious husband who gets bored at the drop of a hat and believes black and white television and musicals (on the screen) are a complete waste of anybody’s time and that no one should ever watch them – he would probably use them for tinder or the fire if he had a chance. Old technology an “outdated” Hollywood tricks are just not amusing anymore.

I will now wait for all you b & w movie buffs to recover from those statements….

What I am trying to point out to MSN and anyone who fully agrees with the fact that movies should just NOT be remade is that I, and generations below me, may only know the ‘current’ (whenever that may be) version of these movies – even if I hear about a past version, the likelihood of me searching for them and then watching them is very small.

For example I did not know the Oceans Eleven was a remake of a previous version with the original “Rat Pack” in it (or did I? Some little memory is trying to spark) or that there was even a remake of Psycho (wasn’t it freaky enough the first time?!).

Okay, okay, I’m not THAT bad – I knew Thomas Crowne Affair, Total Recall and Karate Kid all have remakes and older versions before I read this article!!!! I even know that there is soon to be a remake of Breakfast at Tiffany’s coming out! (When DOES that come out?)

At the same time, when the old version was originally filmed in my lifetime (eg Karate Kid original) I am affronted wondering why producers do not come up with new content instead of regurgitation….at the same time young Mr. Smith and Jackie Chan were indeed amazing onscreen together….possibly more amazing than the old one? Nahhh…they each hold their own I think.

What do you think? Are older movies outdated and should they be remade? Is there value in cherishing original films? Is it disrespectful in any way to remake a film? When would it and wouldn’t it be okay to do a remake?